Monday, October 24, 2011

As part of the first external review of the Medieval Studies Program last year, graduates responded to a survey concerning their careers. Every one of the respondents was either employed or pursuing further education, a remarkable record for such a new program—especially considering the difficulties that one may observe in the current economy. Another remarkable tendency among our Medieval Studies graduates, apparent from the survey responses and further information from graduating students, is their willingness to pursue graduate degrees at prestigious universities overseas, and in a remarkable variety of disciplines. This variety speaks to the interdisciplinary strengths of the Medieval Studies Program, while the willingness of these students to pursue their studies in an international context speaks to their independence of spirit, their sense of adventure, and their clear preparedness to take advantage of opportunities and to add to their learning and personal growth.

Instructors in Medieval Studies are not surprised by such qualities in Medieval Studies graduates, because students in the Program tend to be exceptionally committed to it: genuinely engaged by course material, ready to volunteer for the Program’s annual Medieval Day, to promote the Program to high school students, and to showcase their own achievements at colloquia that they have organised themselves. Often at the forefront of these kinds of initiatives are officers and other members of the Medieval Students’ Society, which has been running since 2005, and is unquestionably one of the strongest student clubs on campus.